Our commitment at Women’s Care Clinic is to help women who are considering abortion realize what is in their best interest.  This means helping you sort through your options in a safe environment.  All abortion procedures have possible risk factors; therefore we do not perform or refer for abortion.  However, this information can help protect you from emotional or physical complications.  

 1.  Have you confirmed your pregnancy?

A positive pregnancy test is only an indication of pregnancy.  You need to know for sure before you make any decisions.  It is important to confirm your pregnancy at a place other than an abortion clinic.  Be tested by someone other than the abortion provider.  There may be a conflict of interest in having your pregnancy test done by someone who may profit from your decision.  Women’s Care Clinic will provide a urine pregnancy test free of charge.

2.  Are you sure you have a viable, intrauterine pregnancy?

A viable pregnancy means one that is capable of developing under normal conditions.  Approximately 30 % of all pregnancies result in a miscarriage.  An abortion performed when a pregnancy is not viable can result in unnecessary physical and emotional trauma as well as expense.  Women’s Care Clinic offers ultrasounds free of charge to determine viability.

3.  Do you know about abortion procedures?

RU 486- Known as the “abortion pill,” this is a procedure that actually involves 2 different medications and 3 visits to the doctor.  RU-486 must be taken very early in pregnancy, between the 28^th and 49^th day after your last period.  First, your doctor will give you a dose of Mifepristone.  Your body would begin to behave hormonally as if you were not pregnant and you would experience a heavy period.  2 days later you would return to the clinic for a check-up and you would be given a prostaglandin.  This causes your cervix to dilate, and your uterus would push the fetus from your body, similar to labor.  This medication can cause serious cramping, bleeding, and heart problems.  RU 486 may result in a failed abortion.  If that happens, a surgical abortion would be required to remove the fetus.

Suction Aspiration-This is the most common surgical abortion procedure and is generally done for pregnancies 6-13 weeks.  For this procedure you lie on your back with your feet in stirrups, and the doctor applies a shot of anesthetic to your cervix to reduce the pain locally.  Your cervical muscles are stretched with cone-shaped rods until the opening is wide enough to allow the abortion tools to pass into the uterus.  Then the doctor guides the suction device through the cervix and into your uterus.  When the suction machine is turned on you feel the very strong force of the vacuum which is used to pull the placenta and fetus into parts small enough to pass out of your body through the suction tube.  During the surgery the doctor cannot see the inside of your uterus and operates by touch alone, trying to detach the fetus from the wall of the uterus with the powerful suction tip. 

Dilation and Curettage-This is also for pregnancies 6-13 weeks.  It begins the same as the suction aspiration method but in this case the abortion is done with a loop-shaped knife which they use to scrape the wall of your uterus, cutting the fetus and placenta into smaller parts and pulling them out of your body through the cervix. 

Dilation and Evacuation- This surgical abortion is done during the second trimester of pregnancy, about 13-24 weeks. Because the developing fetus doubles in size between the thirteenth and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy, the body of the fetus is too large to be broken up by suction and will not pass through the suction tubing. In this procedure, the cervix must be opened wider than in a first trimester abortion. This is done by inserting laminaria a day or two before the abortion. After opening the cervix, the doctor pulls out the fetal parts with forceps. The fetus' skull is crushed to ease removal.

Dilation and Extraction – Commonly referred to as “Partial-birth Abortion,” this procedure is performed at any timed from 20 weeks to full term and takes three days to complete. During the first two days, the cervix is dilated and medication is given for cramping. On the third day, the woman receives medication to start labor. After labor begins, the abortion doctor uses ultrasound to locate the baby's legs. Grasping a leg with forceps, the doctor delivers the baby up to the baby's head. Next, scissors are inserted into the base of the skull to create an opening. A suction catheter is placed into the opening to remove the skull contents. The skull collapses and the baby is removed.

 4.  Do you know that there are possible physical complications following abortion?

Although abortions in the United States have become safer since they became legal, complications can still occur.  You have the right to know of these complications.  Keep in mind that it is good to know all possible complications whether rare or common…just as with any type of medication or medical procedure.  Our Nurse Manager can give you more detailed information during a free consultation.  The following are physical complications that may occur after an abortion.

• Hemorrhage
• Infection
• Perforation of the uterus or other internal organs
• Effects on later pregnancies
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Death
• Increase risk of breast cancer:  Medical experts are still researching and debating the linkage between abortion and breast cancer. However, a 1994 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found: "Among women who had been pregnant at least once, the risk of breast cancer in those who had experienced an induced abortion was 50% higher than among other women." Here are other important facts:

• Carrying a pregnancy to full term gives protection against breast cancer that does not occur if the pregnancy is aborted.
• Abortion causes a sudden drop in estrogen levels that may make breast cells more susceptible to cancer.
• Most studies conducted so far show a significant link between abortion and breast cancer.
  
  

5.  Do you know there are possible emotional complications following an abortion?

Some women experience an immediate feeling of relief following an abortion, but many find themselves later coping with feelings they did not expect.  They may have a difficult time talking about these feelings.  However, many women who have had abortions tend to experience the same types of feelings.  Possible emotional complications following abortion may include:

Sadness                                                     Long-term grief reactions

Anger                                                        Sexual dysfunctions

Guilt                                                          Memory repressions

Flashbacks                                                 Anniversary reactions

Hallucinations                                           Increased alcohol use

Suicidal Ideas                                           Difficulty keeping close relationships

6.   Do you know if you have an STD right now?

Many abortion clinics do not test for STDs.  Ask if the clinic tests for STDs and, if they do, which ones they check for and why.  If the clinic does not test for STDs, you should see your doctor to check if you have an STD and be treated before an abortion. 

If you have an STD and you are not treated before an abortion is performed, the STD can spread into other areas of your body causing additional complications.  Our Nurse Manager can give you more information.  Call to set up a free consultation.

 7.  What do you understand about fetal development?

Many women are surprised to hear how quickly the embryo, and then fetus develops.  Scientific and technological advances have allowed us to directly observe life as it develops in the womb.  From the moment of conception, life is formed with the genetic blueprint for every detail of development.  Here are just a few details:

·         Day One-The child’s sex, hair color, eye color, height and skin tone are already present and just waiting to develop. 

·         Day 20-Foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are established

·         Day 21-Heart begins to beat

·         Day 28-Backbone, muscles, arms, legs, eyes and ears are forming

·         Day 35-Fingers can be seen

·         Day 40-Brain waves can be detected and recorded

·         Week 7-Jaw, teeth buds form

·         Week 8-Now called “fetus”, which means young one; everything is now present that will be found in a fully developed adult

8.  Do you know your legal rights before and after abortion?

Abortion is surgery-you have the right to know what type of abortion you will have and what this surgery involves.  Have the procedure explained thoroughly by the abortion provider.  You should also ask about the stage of fetal development.  In addition, remember that just because abortion is legal does not guarantee a high standard of medical care.  Insist on knowing the name of the doctor or person performing the abortion.  In case of complications or injury due to malpractice, you will need this information.  Malpractice suits are a matter of public record.  Do not be afraid to research the physician or clinic performing the abortion.  Do not be afraid to ask questions-you deserve honest answers.  Remember, no one can force you to undergo an abortion.  You will be the only one to sign the consent from.  In the U.S., you have the right to insist that your abortion provider is a licensed physician, and the right to insist that this physician be insured to protect your interests in case of injury or death.  Some abortion providers insist that all patients sign a statement saying they will not hold the clinic or doctor liable for damages which might occur because of the abortion.  Women then think they cannot seek financial compensation in a court of law because they signed some kind of release-and that may or may not be the case.  Make sure you have these numbers for legal help and referrals:

1-800-634-2224- The American Rights Coalition.

1-800-401-6494-  Life Dynamics Incorporated

1-757-226-2489-American Center for Law and Justice

9.  Do you know which procedure you will have at the abortion clinic, what to do afterward if you have a problem and if there are any costs over and above the cost of the abortion procedure?

Again, ask specifically about which procedure you will be having.  Check to see if the doctor has hospital privileges and where.  If so, write them down in case you experience any complication that warrants emergency medical attention.  Ask about any extra costs and remember that once you are on the table, ready for the abortion, you will have already paid your money.  Remember that you can change your mind at any time…even when you are on the exam table!

10.  Do you understand what your alternatives are?
Choices can be good!  It is important that you are fully informed… and you may find you have more choices than you think.  You have 3 options: parenting your baby, making an adoption plan, or having an abortion.  It is important to explore all the options before you make any permanent decisions.  Gather as much information as you can before you make a decision.  Our organization can provide you with a lot of information on parenting, finishing school, child-care, prenatal care, adoption agencies, and many other resources.  We want to help you make a decision that is right for you…not just for now but for the future, too.